What's the best way to handle a mouthy child?

Question

A child that talks back to his/her parent & is totally disrespectful.

Answer 1

I would punish them severely. I would make life rough for them. That kind of behavior is unacceptable.

Answer 2

Do you know of any children today that aren't?

Of course, there are some, there always will be some that are easy to raise.

The majority today are spoiled from too much vidoe games and too little parenting.

Watch what happens on Christmas day.

Everything becomes so deadly quiet as kids retreat to their video dens and play them all day long.

Is this what Christmas is supposed to be?

A disrespectful child must be shown that the parent in charge is doing all the right things and is deserving of the child's respect.

Sorry to say, the problem is shared with the parent as well.

Parents need to focus more on their children and less on their jobs.

Tell your so-called bosses to go .... themselves. Your children come first.

Answer 3

Take a good look at yourself and think back to the same age that your kid is. What did you do. How often did you mouth off to your parents? How often were you disrespectful? How often did you disobey your parents? Now ask yourself why you did what you did? Did you just dislike your parents? Did you think it was cool to mouth off? Were you trying to get attention because your parents weren't giving you the recognition that you thought you deserved? Were there hurtful comments from your parents mouths, for example, always comparing you to your siblings or to other kids? Were your parents always ordering you around like you were a tin soldier? Did your parents make you feel that they had you just to feed their egos or to give them a feeling of power?
The very nature of your question suggests a person who likes the idea of being the 'boss' in the house because your parents lorded it over you?
I think it's time to break the cycle and learn to really communicate with your children. Remember, it's through no fault of their own that they were born to you.

Answer 4

Setting boundaries and healthy limits are important. If you raise a child from birth and teach them that mouthing off or talking back is not acceptable, and they continue to do it, then you have to show the child that consequences to their actions will follow. A time out chair for smaller children, a naughty corner, or taking away their prized possessions, for example a favorite video game, toy etc will teach the child that if they break the rules, this will happen. Children need to be taught that they are responsible for their own behavior.

Answer 5

Give them a score from 1 to 10 for acting.

THEN.....

Fall on the floor, kick, scream, yell, jump up & down, scream some more.

Stop. Get up. Give yourself a score of 10. Then say, "see, that's how you do it. You're only an amature". Then walk away.

Best done in a crowded Supermarket. It embarrases the hell out of them. It usually gets the support of the crowd too.

Here is some good advise my Grandmother gave to me.
"Use the soft end of the brush on the soft end of the child. If that doesn't work. Then reverse them both".

Answer 6

Very clearly tell them, "That is not acceptable." Point with a finger to emphasize.

Then time out in a corner facing the wall and every time they turn head out of the corner add time. Make it reasonable at first, one minute. If they refuse to go to the corner threaten to turn them over the knee. Make them choose. "Which would you rather have. The corner or a spanking?" Usually just one swift swat is enough to make the point. Much safer than slapping the face and shouldn't get you nasty looks from any passersby.
If they do it out in public chances are they figure you won't stick them in a corner. Do it anyway. Show them you are in control no matter where you are. If you are running late for something important tell them, "As soon as I find a corner, you're in it". Kids do it because they grow impatient with not having independence but the truth is they don't have the clear thought processes yet to make sound decisions. That part of the brain is not fully developed until about 18. God help all parents...

Answer 7

I am appalled that so many people believe hitting their children will teach them anything. Whoever said slap the little brat in the mouth - how horrible! Children emulate what they learn. How can hitting possibly teach better verbal communication? How can it teach ANYTHING?
Tell him/her to speak to you in a calmer voice and you will listen. Repeat it over and over again if you have to. If he is screaming and/or saying things to hurt you (older child) go to your room for a "time out". Let him know this type of behavior hurts you. Praise his good behavior, every time. It will work wonders.
Please, treat your child with respect and you will receive much the same.

Answer 8

1. Ask what the problem is.
2. If #1 got you attitude it is time for a time out.
3. Go back to #1. If still getting attitude tell them they will got to be 30 minutes early.
4. If things get worse go into little angel's room and remove all toys and everything that plugs in. Ground them for 2 days. Sooner or later they will realize you mean what you say and say what you mean. Consistency is VERY important.
5. If all else fails- spank that a@s!

Answer 9

i believe the people here who are saying ' a smack ' will do it are saying to tell the child first what will happen if the mouthyness doesn't stop; not to just whack the kid in the mouth with no warnings.
kid = wawawawa
parent = stop or i will smack your mouth. understood?
kid = looks into space
parent = UNDERSTOOD?
kid = yes
kid = wawawa
parent = i told you last time that if you did it again i would smack you in the mouth. ready? i'm about ready to smack.
kid = has eyes closed and ready
parent = smacks childs mouth HARD

when the kid is waiting for it , it hurts more. and he knows it will come when mom says it will.

my nephew is such a good kid, but he gets out of hand occassionally. this puts him right back to himself.

Answer 10

Physical abuse is certainly not the answer, I know that much.

Keep calm, do not over-react or yell back - you'd just be giving them them the attention they crave. Be fair, firm and disciplined but never, ever violent, and try not to raise your voice. Tell them to sit quietly in their room (or somewhere alone and quiet) for a time limit - 15 min (for example) for each time you deem unacceptable. It may be 10 times in one night, but they'll soon learn. And whatever you do - don't give in, stick to the time limits. And when they're good - reward them....

Answer 11

DO NOT SLAP THEM! they are simply trying to get attention anyway they can. Ignore them when they mouth off, calmly and politely tell them you will not respond when they speak to you like that and stick to your guns. they will go mental, but keep ingnoring them until they calm down and speak to you nicely.
Once they do quitely remind them of all the time they have wasted and engry they used when all was required to get what they wanted was to ask nicely.